Auto traction-chain



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUTO TRACTION -GHAIN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

Application filed December 9, 1920. Serial No. 429,510.

To all 'ZUILOT/Z it may concern:

Be it known that we, DOLPHIS DERUISEAUX and Fnarrmax S. Cannon, citizens of the United States, residing at Taunton, in the county of Bristol, State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Auto Traction-Chain, of which the following is a specification This invention relates to traction chains, designed for use on motor vehicle wheels, to eliminate sliding of the wheel, and to increase the tract-ion qualities thereof.

The object of the invention is to provide a chain of this character which is of a novel construction, whereby the chain may be moved at the will of the operator, to bring an unused portion of the chain over the tread of the tire, when the portion thereof as originally positioned over the tire tread, has become worn or rendered inoperative.

A further object of the invention is to provide a chain which may be moved as described, with a minimum amount of labor on the part of the operator.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed,- it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing Figure 1 is a fragmental plan view of a wheel, showing the chain as applied.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view through the wheel.

Fig. 3 is a detail view of one of the links, and one of the supporting blocks.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the chain includes a plurality of sections 5, each of which is provided with a bifurcated e:\; tremity forming the spaced ears 6, which are provided with registering openings 7 to receive a bolt, for connecting two or more links.

The opposite extremity of the link is cut away adjacent to its edges to provide a central tongue 8 which is also apertured as at 9 to accommodate a bolt, it being understood that the tongue 8 of one link is to be positioned between the ears 6 of the adjacent link, in the formation of a chain.

The under surface of each link at a point adjacent to the tongue 8,. is curved as at 10, to conform to the curvatures of the ears 6, with which the walls cooperate, thereby permitting ready movement of one link with respect to the other, to eliminate wear on the tire on which the same is supported, and which in the present drawing is illustrated by the reference character 11.

Each of these links is formed preferably of malleable metal, and provided with an integral calk 12 which tapers toward its outer edge, and is of a length to extend substantially the entire outer surface of each link, and since these calks extend longitudinally of the links, it is obvious that when a chain as described, is positioned on a wheel, the side faces of the ca-lks are presented to the road surface in positions transversely of the road surface, to attain the proper gripping results.

A block 13 is associated with each link of the chain, the block being formed of hard ruber, wood, or other suitable material, the same having inclined ends to cause the block to properly fit between the tongue and ears of a link in a manner to prevent movement thereof with respect to the link.

The upper surface of each block is cutaway as at 14, to provide opposed flanges 15, which flanges embrace portions of the side edges of the links to prevent lateral movement of the links with respect to the blocks, the pressure directed to the links by way of the heel, being sufficient to secure the blocks against movement.

From the foregoing it is obvious that a chain constructed in accordance with the present invention is provided with calks 12, throughout the length thereof, so that when the portion of the chain which is contacting with the tread of a tire, becomes worn, the remaining portion of the chain, or a portion thereof which has not been Worn, may be moved to take a position over the tread of: a tire.

It might be further stated, however, that suitable bolts as indicated at 16 connect adj acent ends of the links, in a manner to permit pivotal movement between the links.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed as new] is In a traction chain, a plurality of pivotally connected links, a block having opposed flanges, associated with each link, said tures in the presence of two Witnesses.

DOLPHIS DERUISEAUX. FRANKLIN S. CAPRON.

Witnesses LOUIS SURG, IRVING BERTMAN. 

